Eagles signing of Za'Darius Smith is proving to have a much bigger impact than expected

Eagles GM Howie Roseman said in late August that he was not done adding to this year's roster. He certainly has stuck to his word. Just 12 days ago, the aggressive general manager signed veteran pass rusher Za'Darius Smith and the early return on investment, 20 snaps to be exact, is already paying dividends.

Veteran chose the Eagles

The 33-year-old, who signed a one-year deal for $4.25 million, played well last week in his debut helping shut down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in Week 2. In the limited playing time, Smith recorded four tackles, a half sack, a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit in the 20-17 win.

“I had a lot of teams calling, but I just felt comfortable with coming to Philly,” Smith said when speaking to reporters last Wednesday. “I know Ogbo (Okoronkwo), we were together there in Cleveland. I talked to him, and he was just telling me about the organization, the locker room, and the great people here. I love everything about it. And hey, they just got a Super Bowl, and hopefully we can go get it again.”

Smith, in his 11th season, has experienced the playoffs, getting to the NFC Championship twice with Green Bay, but has yet to play in a Super Bowl.

He was drafted by Baltimore in the fourth round in 2015. After four strong seasons, he signed a four-year, $66 million contract with the Packers. Prior to the 2022 season, he was traded within the NFC North to Minnesota. In 2023, the Vikings sent him and two late round picks to Cleveland. Last November, Smith was traded once again, joining Detroit mid-way through the season.

He finished with nine sacks last season and enters Week 3 with 69.5 career sacks in 141 games. Pretty strong production from a guy who was not participating in a single training camp this summer.

Leading the way

Now in Philadelphia, he is being asked to lead a young pass rushing group featuring Moro Ojomo, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt. The veteran moved into the middle locker of the NovaCare Complex, the same stall that was occupied by one of the Eagles' most respected team leaders for 15 seasons, Brandon Graham.

"I'm not here to prove nothing. I'm just here to help this team the best way I can," Smith said.

"We have a lot of younger guys, so I can be a mentor to them. "I think a lot of guys are so worried about getting after the quarterback and getting sacks. I always tell them, don't worry about that don't focus on that. Just go play the game and the sacks are going to come. Just trying to keep them levelheaded."

Smith has played in nearly more games in his career (142) than the group of pupils he is now taking under his wing (162). With the placement of his new locker, the front office views the veteran as someone who can be an anchor, like Graham was.

Celebrating sacks

Sacks have not come easy for the Eagles' defense at least through the first two games to start the season. In the season opener against Dallas, they did not sack Dak Prescott. Last week, they got to Mahomes just twice, including Smith who teamed up with rookie safety Drew Mukuba to get Mahomes to the ground.

Last season, the Eagles' defense was inside the top 15 with 41 sacks.

It may take some time for this young pass rush group that saw the likes of Milton Williams and Josh Sweat sign elsewhere learn and get into the synchronization it requires to implement an effective pass rush. The good news, for the Eagles is that there is plenty of time and talent for this young core to become a terrorizing group on opposing quarterbacks as the season progresses.

When the sacks do come, the veteran Smith has already made it known that celebration is in order.

"Got to have a celebration or it's a fine," Hunt laughingly told Philadelphia Inquirer's Olivia Reiner.

Smith, known for his signature army-crawl after his sacks, wants to bring his energy to the group and the field, similar to how the fan-favorite and leader "BG" did during his long tenure with the Eagles.

Plenty left

Smith had less than a week to assimilate himself with the defense but showed enough veteran presence to allow Vic Fangio to put him out there for 20 snaps in his first game with the Eagles.

“I thought for coming in on such short notice, he made some good plays," Fangio said on his newest pass rusher. "Obviously, he can get a lot better too, which I think he will, with gaining more knowledge of what we're doing."

Despite being the elder statesmen in the locker room, especially for the young pass rushers, the veteran feels he has plenty left to give.

"I got a lot more left in the tank. I started my senior year of high school, so it's like I'm still young in the game. I have a lot more left."

The Eagles are certainly banking on that. If his debut is any indication on what is to come, Roseman once again delivered with an extremely valuable and roster altering signing.